Apparatus for forming hollow articles of cementitious material



Dec. 23, 1930. D. E. ANDREWS APPARATUS FOR FORMING HOLLOW ARTICLES OF GEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL 5 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Nov. 17. 1927 attomwq Dec. 23, 1930. n. E. ANDREWS 1,786,335.

APPARATUS FOR FORMING HOLLOW ARTICLES OF CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL Filed Nov. 17. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 gymntz align W11 Dec. 23, 1930. D. E. ANDREWS 1,786,385

APPARATUS FOR FORMING HOLLOW ARTICLES OF CEMENTITIOUS MATERIAL Filed Nov. 17. 1927 Sheets-Sheet 3 f? a 5 J9 ll/IALW avwmdoz Patented Dec. 23, 1930 UNITED. sT 'ras PATENT OFFICE DAV ID EDWARD ANDREWS, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF SIXTY ONE-HULL DREIDTHS TO WALTER L. STONE, 'OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN APPARATUS FOR FORMING HoLLow ARTICLES or CEMENTITIOUSMATERIAL Application filed November 17, 1927. Serial N0. 233,994.

This invention relates to an apparatus for forming hollow articles of cementitious material, and more particularly to an apparatus for the centrifugal manufacture of concrete An important object of the invention is to provide novel means for supporting the forms for rotation.

A further object is to provide a novel form 10 of cage for holding the" forms, the latter being readily removable from the cage.

A further object is to provide novel means for properly centering the forms, such means permitting ready removal of the forms with- 15 out removing the cage from" the rotating means. V 1

A further object is to .provide a cage having end rings secured thereto and adapted to engage the end members of the forms for 20 properly centering the latter and holding them in proper position, either of the rings being removable from the cage tojpermit the form to be removed from the cage without lifting the latter from the rotating means.

A further object is to'provide the form with endmenibers having tapered portions adapted to engage l'siniilarly shaped portions of the end rings of the cage whereby the form will be secured in position during rotation and will be properlycentered.

A further object is to 'providean apparatus of the character referred to whereinthe form is supported in position wholly by the end rings of the cagewhereloy removal of either of the end rings permits the form to be withdrawnfrom the cage without disconnecting any fastening means. I v I A further object is to provide an apparatus which is adapted for the manufacture of pipes and similar articles of varying diameters.

A further object is to provide a novel form from which thefinished articles are readily removable. p

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of therfollowing description. 7

In thedrawings I haveshown several em bodiments of the invention. IIIthlS showlng,

Figure 1 is a side elevation, the foundation being shown in'section,

Figure 2 is a section taken substantially on line 22 of Figure 1 I Figure 8 is an enlarged central longitudinal sectional view of one of the cages and associated elements,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary detail sectional view on line 4& of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary detail sectional view showing the connecting means between one of the annular trackways'and its associated end ring, i

Figure 6 is a detail elevation of the same, Figure 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view showing the apparatus adapted for making articles of smaller diameter,

Figure 7 8' is' a central longitudinal sec tional view of a modified form of cage and associated elements, and,

Figure 9 is a section on line 99 of Figure 8. 1

Referring to Figs 1 to 7 inclusive, the numeral 10 designates a plurality of rollers monnted'upon shafts 11 journalled in bearings 12 preferablyof the roller type. These bearings are supported upon a suitable steel framework 13 which, in turn, is secured to a concrete or similar foundation 1 1-.

In the drawings I have illustrated three sets of the rollers 10 the adjacent pairs of which are adapted to supporting molding units 15. It will be'apparent that the use of three sets of rollers 10 permits the simultaneous operation of two of the molding units although theinvention obviously is not limited to any particular number of the units.

Except'as hereafterspecified, the molding units are identical, and only one need be referred to in detail. Referring toFigures 2, 3 and A, each unit 15 comprises a cage 16 in which the molding form to be described is arranged. The cage includes a pair of annular flanged trackways' 17 which are ar ranged upon the rollers 10 to be rotatably supported thereby. The trackways are provided with inwardly extending alined lugs 18 whichare received between pairs of angle irons 19 or other connecting means, bolts 20 being employed for securing the angle irons to the lugs. intermediate their lengths, the angle irons 19 are provided with cut out portions 21 to receive a belt pulley 22. This pulley is provided between each pair of angle irons 13 with outstanding lugs 23 and bolts 2% pass through these lugs and the angle irons 19 to secure the pulley in position. The cage further includes a pair 01? end rings each of which includes an annular outsta ing flange portion 26 and a conical portion 2'? for a purpose to be described.

The preferred manner of securing t traclnvays to the end rings is illustrated 1 Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings. At spaced intervals, the outer face of the amnilar flange portion 26 of each end ring provided. with a pair of spaced lugs 29 and each pair or lugs is adapted to receive therebetween the arms of a U-shaped clip 30. A screw 31 is rotatable in the base portion of each clip and is threaded at its outer end at for reception in the enlarged inner end of stud 353 which projects through an opening I-B-l: :tornied in the adjacent tl go portion 26. The outer end of each stud is reduced as at 35 and projects through an opening 36 formed in the adjacent annular traclcway, and a nut 37 is arranged on tl e outer end or" each stud. It will be apparent that the screws 31 are operable to draw the rings inwardly toward each other.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the numeral. 38 designates a change speed transmission. preferably of the type commercially known as the Reeves unit. This unit is adapted to be driven by any suitable source of power such an electric motor 39, and the output side of the transmission is provided with a pair of pulleys lO about which pass belts ll. As previously stated, the two cages illustrated are substantially ieentical, but it will be apparent that the belt pulleys of these units are oilset with respect to each other to be arranged in proper alinement with their drive pulleys -10.

A pair of complementary semi-circular forms 1-2 are adapted to be arran ed within each cage 15 and are preferably rormed sheet metal. The longitudinal edges of the complementary members are preferably provided with angle irons d3 through which bolts l are passed to secure the complementary members together to comprise a cylindrical form.

End members an l 46 are arranged adja cent opposite ends of the cylindrical form as clearly sl own in Figure 3. Each 01 the end members is provided with a conical portion ll adapted to be received in the conical portion of the corresponding end ring 25 and each of the end members is further pro vided with a cylindrical face l8 adapted to be received in one end of the cylindrical form. Inwardly of the cylindrical face 48, each end member is provided with an annular shoulder 5 .9, while the two end members are provided with tapered intermediate portions 50 terminating in annular squared ex .remitics 51. It will be apparent that the shapes dolined by the faces i9, 50 and iii of the two end members correspond in such a manner that the ends of finished pipes are adapted to interlit. The cylindrical term and the end members constitute a mold adapted o receive plastic material to form a iinishcd pipe or similar article 52, as shown in Figure 3, and the plastic material may be introduced through center openings 53 formed in both of the on d members. It will be obvious ll r the diameters of the openings are th sa and that they determine the thickness of t n finished pipe.

The modification illustrated in Figure 7 is identical with the form previously described, except that it is adapted for the manufacture of pipes of different inside diameter with the same cage as previously referred to. In the modified form of the device, the annular flange portion 26 ot the end ring is materially Wider; thus reducing the diameter of the conical portion 27. This conical portion obviously will accommodate a smaller end member 46, While the cylindrical face 48 of the latter obviously is adapted to be received in a smaller cylindrical form.

Thus it will be apparent that a single cage may be employed for manufacturing articles of dilterent inside diameters.

The form of the device illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 varies from the form previously described only in structural details. In place of the spacing members 19 and the means previously described for securing the end rings to the annular tracliways, I may employ a plurality of longitudinally extend ing rods 54. Each of these rods is provided with an enlarged central portion 55 extending through an opening 56 formed in the belt pulley The rods are secured in position with respect to the belt pulley by nuts 57, shown in Figure 8. Each rod is provided adjacent its outer ends with tapered portions 58 received in tapered openings 59 formed in the trackWa-ys 17. Nuts 60 are threaded on the rods adjacent the tapered portions thereof and are received in recesses 61 formed in the outer faces of the trackways. Beyond the nuts 60 the rods are provided with extensions 62 passing through open ings 63 formed in end rings and nuts 64 are arranged on the extremities of the rods to draw the end members inwardly as will be apparent. The end rings 65 are not provided with tapered portions to receive correspondmg portions of the ends members but are provided with inwardly extending annular flanges 66 against which slightly dillerent end members 67 are adapted to seat. The end members are constructed so as to form interfittmg ends on the finished pipes as in the hit . case of the forinpreviously described. The

ends of the cylindrical form 42 are adapted to fit over the outer portions of the end members as shown in Figure 8. I

Convenient means may befemployed for facilitating the filling of the forms and the removal of the finishedarticles, Referring to Figure 2, the numeral 68 designates acrane as a whole including an upper horizontal arm 69 provided at opposite sides thereof with plates 70 between the upper portions of which are vertical shafts 71 supporting wheels 7 2. These wheels are adapted to travel upon a suitable trackway' 73 arranged parallel to the axis of the cage, for a purpose to be described. a depending arm 74 to the inner side of which is connected a hook 75, and a lower arm 7 6 is carried by the depending portion 74: beneath and parallel to t-heupper arm 69. Jack screws 77 are carried by opposite portions of the lower arm 76 and are adapted to engage the end members of the mold when it is desired to remove the latter from the cage.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows The cages with the forms in place therein are arranged on the rollers 10 and the cages are rotated by the belts as will be apparent. Any desired speed of rotation maybe obtained by'proper manipulation of the speed change mechanism. As previously stated, the apparatus is particularly adapted forthe simultaneous manufacture of two of the articles at a time, but it willbe apparent that only one cage and its associated form may be operated. The cement-itious material may be placed in the form by pouring it through the openings in the end members, and the diameters of these openings obviously will determine the thickness of the finished article. After theforming of the article has been completed, the drive mechanism is a stopped whereupon the crane 68 is brought ends thereof into engagement with the end members, whereupon the end ring adjacent the hook may be disconnected from the cage and placed upon the hook to be supported thereby. The crane is then moved longitudinally, thus withdrawing the form and its associated end members from the cage, together with the moldedarticle the cage remaining in position on the rollers 1 0. The form may be deposited whereverdesired and the article may be removed therefrom by separating the complementary members of the form and removing the end members.

To return the parts to operative position to receive another charge of cementitious material a new form is placed in position on the jack screws and the crane is moved long1- tudinally to the position shown in Figure 2 The crane further includes to place the new form within the cage. The

end ring of the cage is then'lifted' from the hook 75, and replaced in operative position, whereupon the form is ready fora new charge of material to form another finished article. It willbe apparent thatthe crane isadapted to be moved into either end of the cage tion shown in Figures 1 to 7 inclusive, it

will be apparent that the coa'cting conical faces of the end members and end rings cause the form to be properly'centered in the cage. The ends of the cylindrical form contact with portions of the end members and are tightened iii-position by properly operating the screws 31'.

Thezoperation of the form of the device shown-in Figures 8 and 9 is identical with that previously described except that dif ferent meansis providedfor securing the end rings in position. It will be noted that either end ring may be detached merely by removing one set of nuts 64, the other nuts 57'and 6O retaining the other elements of the cage in fixed position. It also will be noted that in the modified form'of. the device, the ends of the form contact directly with the end rings rather than with the end members of thefform, but this structural differencedoes are adapted to be driven by belts ll passing around the pulleys 22, the pulleys of the two cages being otl set in the manner previously stated. i

It will be, obvious that articles of different diameters readily may be 'formed by using the end rings, end members and form illu trated in F igue 7. It will be noted that the end'rings' described are materially wider than those previously referred to, thus ada ting the apparatus; to accommodate smaller forms and end members.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferredexamples of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangementof parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

.1. Apparatus of the character described comprising a cage, ineans for rotatably supporting said cage, a form adapted to'be arranged in said cage and provided. withends having tapered portions, said cage being provided with tapered port-ions adapted to re,- ceive the corresponding portions of said form, one of the tapered portions of said cage being detachable to permit withdrawal of said form from said cage, and means for rotating said cage.

2. Apparatus of the character described comprising a cage, annular rings carried by the end portions of said cage, means for retating said cage about its axis, and a form adapted to be arranged in said cage, said cage including a substantially cylindrical body portion and detachable annular end portions and adapted to be clamped between the annular rings, at least one of said rings being detachable from said cage to permit said form to be withdrawn therefrom, said rings and the annular end portions of said form being provided with tapered engaging faces which decrease in diameter outwardly of the end of said cage.

3. Apparatus of the character described comprising a cage including a pair of annular trackways, means for rigidly connecting said traekways to each other, and end rings carried by said cage outwardly of said trackways, means engaging said trackways to support said cage for rotation, a form adagted to be arranged in said cage, and annular end members having portions receiving the extremities of said form, said end mem bers and said ring having contacting tapered faces decreasing in diameter toward the ends of said cage, one of. said rings being detachable from said cage to permit said form to be withdrawn therefrom.

4:. Apparatus of the character described comprising a cage including a pair of annular trackways, end rings arranged ontwardly of said trackways, a plurality of studs carried by said trackways, said end rings being provided with openings through which said studs project, screws engaging the projecting portions of said studs for securing said trackways to said rings, and a form adapted to be arranged in said cage and supported by said rings.

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising a cage including a pair of annular trackways, end rings arranged outwardly of said trackways, a plurality of studs carried by said trackways and provided with longitudinally projecting ends having internally threaded openings, said end rings being provided with openings through which the projecting ends of said studs extend, screws engaging in the threaded openings of said studs for securing said end rings to said track. ays, and a form adapted to be arranged in said cage and wholly supported by said rings.

6. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 5 wherein said end rings and said form are provided with tapering contact faces.

7. Apparatus of the character described comprising a cage including a pair of an nular trackways, fastening elements carried DAVID EDWARD ANDREXVS. 

